Kanu and Okocha are my Football Idols – Yaya Toure

Ivory Coast and Manchester City veteran midfielder Yaya Toure has revealed that Nigerian football legends Austin Okocha and Kanu Nwankwo are his African idols.

Reputed for his mesmerising skills and trickery, Okocha who was a shining star for Paris Saint-Germain and Bolton Wanderers is known as one of the most talented football players of his time.

Kanu was twice an African Player of the Year. He also won the Champions League, UEFA Cup, league titles and other trophies. He is regarded as one of the best African footballers.

Speaking in a Q & A session, Toure who is nominated for the 2016 BBC African Player of the Year said he idolised the Nigerian greats.

On whom his African football idols are, Toure mentioned: Nwankwo Kanu, Austin Okocha and Abedi Pele. “I also have so many that were so good,” he told BBC Sports.

The 33-year-old is competing with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Gabon and Borussia Dortmund, Algeria and Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez, Senegal and Liverpool’s Sadio Mane and Andre Ayew of Ghana and West Ham United for the BBC Player of the Year award.